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Traveling with tykes | byKatherine Bebo

Posted on Mon, Jun 9, 2014

Replacing worry with anticipation just takes preparation

There it is, in big red letters, scrawled across the kitchen calendar: “V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N.” It’s a reminder that’s supposed to induce excitement and yearning. So why do you feel angst? We’ll give it to you in one word: kids. Traveling with tots can bring great times or sheer stress, depending on your prep work. So with traditional vacation season upon us, we’ve gathered a goldmine of tidbits, offering parents poised for takeoff a guide to happy travels.

Dr. Robin Larabee

The heat is on

Sun and heat are often guiding lights for vacationers, but the warmth and relaxation brings health hazards for kids. Pack sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30, says Dr. Robin Larabee, a pediatrician at Sapphire Pediatrics. “And dress your children in clothing with built-in sun protection – particularly when swimming,” says Dr. Nicholas Kyriazi, a pediatrician at Littleton Pediatric Medical Center. Kyriazi also suggests washing children with a mild, fragrance-free soap after a day at the pool. “Sunscreen and chlorine are common causes of rashes on children’s skin.”

Most resorts don’t have lifeguards, so supervision is up to parents, Kyriazi says. “Swimming lessons prior to your vacation are a good idea.” If you’re by the ocean, Kyriazi urges you to discuss the dangers of strong waves, currents and riptides with children and the importance of staying within their depth.

A warm climate often brings mosquitoes, so Kyriazi encourages repellent with a DEET concentration of 10 percent or less for kids. The best line of defense is covering up with clothing, so he suggests spraying repellent on the ends of sleeves and the brims of hats so less of the product is on children’s skin.

Babies and children can quickly become overheated and dehydrated, so push hats and fluids, doubling the amount of water they usually drink when it’s hot, Kyriazi says. But be forewarned, he says. “This will mean more bathroom trips.”

Dr. Nicholas Kyriazi

Same-old, same-old

While keping to kids’ schedules on vacation can be hard, it can temper meltdowns. “If you’re in a new time zone, try to adapt as much as possible on the first day,” Larabee says. “Eat meals at the right time, and don’t forget a snack for hungry kids in the meantime.” Keep bedtime routines the same when possible. If at home, it’s snack, teeth and bed, then try to adhere to that on vacation, Kyriazi says.

“Children who sleep on their own at home should continue sleeping on their own on trips,” Larabee says. “Bring the pack ’n play or ask for a portable crib at the hotel, rather than allowing kids to bed-share with you.”

Are we there yet?

To avoid impatience, keep your little ones entertained, particularly on a long road trip. But remember the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to two hours a day for kids.

“On a road trip, parents may have to break this rule a little, but they should play old-fashioned car games, too,” Kyriazi says. Try the ‘alphabet game’ with road signs and license plates, and challenge your children to spot a particular color of car first. Bring books and travel games, such as Rubik’s cubes and “Brain Quest” trivia booklets. “Children also benefit from quiet time looking out the window, taking in the landscape and clearing their brains,” Larabee says.

Bring hand wipes, water, snacks, pillows, blankets and music, such as lullaby CD’s, for a smoother ride, and both doctors concur that frequents stops should be made. “Let children know the itinerary so they can look forward to the next stop, be it a national park, an historic site or a cool building,” Larabee says.